'It's always been a dream': Cousins take on The Oyster House after spending two years vacant

Two cousins are resurrecting a pub after it has spent the best part of two years vacant.

Trina Wheeler and Tommy Hoare are turning their lifelong dream of running a pub together into reality by reopening The Oyster House, in Locksway Road, Southsea, later this year.

The pair, who collected keys to the pub on Friday, August 21, are planning on retaining as many of the boozer’s original features including the open fire whilst injecting a new lease of life into the venue.

Trina said: “Tommy has got many many years of experience in the industry, managed a local pub in North End for years, and he has run night clubs and wine bars. With myself, it has always been a dream of mine and if you work hard, dreams come true.

“We discussed it for a long time and then in January, we saw the Oyster House was available and we thought what a fantastic pub to bring back into the community. It’s such a special pub and we want to bring it back to life.”

The pub is set to officially open on Thursday, October 1, with Trina and Tommy’s loved ones rallying around to ensure the venue is ready to welcome customers back. There will also be a brand new menu featuring pub classics created by local produce and sourced from independent businesses in the city.

She added: “The process has taken a long time because the building needed a lot of work. The contractors there are finishing up but we are in now and we’re doing our own work.

“I’m buzzing. I am absolutely over the moon. I understand it is going to be extremely hard work and it’s not going to bea easy but I can’t wait because all of the feedback has been brilliant - there has been some wonderful stories at the pub. We had one man saying he met his wife there 50 years ago, and he can’t wait to come back and bring his wife.”

Trina told The News how The Oyster House’s social media has already had 400,000 views, with locals excited to see the pub reopen after it closed at the end of 2024. She said the goal is re-establish the site as a mainstay that offers live music nights and hosts comunity groups, and events.

For more information about The Oyster House, click here.